Having Trouble With Your DTV Signal? You Need a UHF Antenna

DTV arrives in less than five months.

Are you ready?

February 17, 2009 is when News Channel 7 and the nation's other full-power television stations all convert from an analog TV signal to a digital signal. We call it DTV, and you'll enjoy picture and sound that are dramatically better.

As you make preparations for the change, don't forget your antenna.

Many viewers have already hooked up their converter box. It changes the digital signal -back- to analog so older TV sets (without digital tuners) can still see the signal.

Some of you have written to me, saying the new DTV picture breaks up or freezes.

I've spoken to our chief engineer, Ron Peeler, and he's shared some very important information.

To get a good DTV picture, you'll need the proper antenna.

Most of the present analog TV stations operate in the VHF band. If you have a rabbit ear antenna on your TV, the VHF band is picked up by the long antennas that extend.

Right now, the digital signal in our area is transmitted only in the UHF band. The UHF antenna is the round circle on the rabbit ear antenna.

Though most every station is transmitting at maximum power, the UHF signal doesn't penetrate buildings, trees, etc. as well as VHF.

So if you're trying to pick up our digital signal with an indoor UHF antenna, the signal may not be so good. That explains the problem some of you are having.

For the short term, to pick up News Channel 7's digital signal, you'll need a good UHF antenna.

This next part is perhaps confusing, but it's good news for News Channel 7 viewers in the long run. After February 17, when the analog-to-digital conversion has taken place, News Channel 7's digital signal (currently on UHF, the round antenna) is moving back to VHF (the long antenna). All other local stations will remain on UHF.

If News Channel 7 is your most-watched station, the reception you get from your rabbit ear antenna will be much better... for WSPA only... after the February 17 transition.

The bottom line: if you want to watch digital programming now instead of waiting until February 17, make sure you have a good UHF antenna.

Need help?

Feel free to contact me at tcrabtree@wspa.com, or call 864-576-7777 and ask to speak with a member of our engineering staff.

You can also get in touch with me if your church or civic club wishes to book a speaker about DTV. Call soon... time's a-wasting!

We appreciate having you as a viewer and want to be sure you're ready for the great new world of DTV!